NPA confirm Oscar Pistorius appeal

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it will file papers for leave to appeal this week in the Oscar Pistorius trial, even though, as was initially thought, there is no deadline.

It was understood that either the state or Pistorius’ defence team would have 14 days to appeal after the Blade Runner was sentenced on October 21.

However, NPA spokesperson Nathi Mncube said they had since established that the state did not have any limitations in reference to the time frame given to appeal.

Despite not having to adhere to the 14-day period, the NPA said the work was done and that they were just “polishing it” before lodging their files for appeal.

Last week, the NPA announced it would be appealing both the conviction and sentence.

“The appeal on conviction is based on a question of law,” said Mncube.

“The merits and the demerits of the NPA’s argument in this regard will become evident when we file papers for leave to appeal.”

On September 12, Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide for the Valentine’s Day 2013 shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The court found him not guilty of murdering her.

Judge Thokozile Masipa sentenced Pistorius to five years in prison for the negligent killing of Steenkamp.

Masipa also ruled on discharging a shot from his friend Darren Fresco’s Glock pistol under a table at Tasha’s restaurant in Sandton in January 2013. He was sentenced to three years’ jail, suspended for five years.